(Follows on from Taking Rest by Danel )
“You have pulled some strings, cousin?” I asked Parnard. I certainly remembered that name, Ailanthas. I believed him to be the friend who had once aided a young Parnard in getting into the Feasting Halls, and it appeared had risen through the ranks to a position of some power.
“He is now the Chief…the Chief something-or-other. I forgot exactly what he does in the kitchen," said Parnard.
“I am not complaining,” Estarfin said as he took up another boiled egg to eat.
“If your friend arranges guest quarters like these, he is to be commended,” I said. The rooms were very spacious and comfortable, and decorated in an exquisite Wood Elf style with greenery and even small trees.
Taking a seat on one of the two couches, Parnard relaxed somewhat. “My people are a little suspicious of strangers, but once they get to see your faces, rather than just hear tales, I am sure they will welcome you.” He looked directly at Estarfin.
I smiled brightly at Parnard. Indeed, having the ‘fiery’ Noldor staying with them must be a huge challenge, I did not think. Others had been in the Woodland realm with no trouble. Estarfin and I had been here but a year ago, and were in no trouble.
“Those who have seen you - well, I can tell they are impressed,” our friend continued,”so impressed they dare not approach!”
“We are strangers to them,” Estarfin spoke with the voice of reason.
“We mean them no harm,” I said. They must know that? I moved to the set table and helped myself to some fresh bread and butter, and a piece of delicious blue-veined cheese. “And we are thankful for their welcome, especially after that trip through the forest.”
Parnard nodded. “I am pleased they are so hospitable. Perhaps we should drink more of their wine, lest they take offense.”
I looked from Parnard to Estarfin. Estarfin nodded.
“Would either of you like something to eat?” I put down my plate, ready to serve them, but both shook their heads. Looking at them, Estarfin in a long sleek robe, and Parnard in a snug-fitting red velvet doublet. I was struck anew at how handsome they both were, each in their own way, yet so unalike.
Estarfin was tall and strong, I had always thought him beautiful from the first I had seen him. That mane of wild black hair was not off putting in the least to me. I had always wanted to get my hands into it, and now, of course, I could. His sea grey eyes shone with intelligence and curiosity; his expression, though firm of will, was never cruel. He was like a rock in any storm, that would not yield to anyone or anything. But it was more than his appearance, it was his manner. So sure of himself, at least that was how he appeared, so determined, and brave. It always seemed he knew no fear. I oft thought back to the stubborn youth in Prince Caranthir’s Hall, and then looked at the ner he had become. I thought myself blessed indeed that matters had turned out the way they had. No one could ever come close to him in my heart.
Parnard was not as tall or broadly built, and he was lighter of foot than Estarfin, and less learned, and generally of a merry mood. He could almost always get me to laugh or see the lighter side of things. Being unconstrained in speech made him a glib diplomat at times, a fool at others, and his eyes were bright with childlike curiosity and excitement at something he had discovered. I had not really understood the Avari until I met him; yet his Sindarin blood sometimes shone through, and he could seem as noble a Lord as any. But he had changed in recent years, and now carried some of the manners and gravity of us Noldor. My ‘cousin’ I called him, out of deep love and friendship that was tried and tested, and also out of my longing to see Arda through a different perspective, one that was not world-weary. Brasseniel would be fortunate to have him.
“I must say that you both look very fine,” I told them.
Parnard made a half-smile, glancing over his shoulder at the door. Estarfin looked at me, then nodded approvingly at my choice of gown.
“The bath felt wonderful. It was so good to be clean and warm again. It was so warm.”
“I should say so! There is nothing worse than a cold bath,” said Parnard. Then he stood and turned around slowly so that we could better appreciate his finery. “You see before you Estarfin’s old arming doublet! I took it in properly.”
Now that Parnard had drawn my attention to it, I could recognise it, and his personal additions - large showy gold flowers embroidered in gold thread.
“You wear it well,” said Estarfin.
The Wood Elf bowed deeply to Estarfin. “Why, thank you. It seems the best sort of thing to wear under that metal suit. This calls for wine!”
Parnard poured three large glasses of wine, handing the first to Estarfin and the second to me. We both accepted it with a nod of thanks. “Cousin, come and sit by the fire with Estarfin,” he said. I understood. He wanted us to sit beside him.
Estarfin sipped wine, turning pages of a book he had taken from one of the library selections. I sat beside him as asked, and leaned forward to take a closer look at what he was reading. He smiled, showing me the cover, and said, “It is a history of Oropher and the Battle of the Dagorlad.”
He is interested in their tactics and their armour, or lack of it, I thought. Better armour and less charging ahead would have seen many lives saved. “Oh, I am sorry I am so inquisitive about books,” I apologised. “I look for ones I have not read, and do not recall that one.”
He smiled, and turned a page. I did not want to take the book from him, just to make him aware I was interested too.
You are both refreshed from the journey, then?” I asked, knowing the meeting that lay ahead with Brasseniel’s father would likely be taxing..
“I am clean, fed, and wearing robes that are not covered in mud,” Estarfin said.
Parnard simply smiled at me, more relaxed than earlier when we first arrived at the gates of the Elvenking’s Halls, but still seemed somewhat restless as he sat on the edge of his chair swirling wine around in his glass. Then he said, all of a sudden, “I left word for the Captain that I wished to speak with him when I left the company of Ailanthas: I wonder how long I will have to wait?”
Estarfin, put the book aside and sat back on the couch sipping wine and said, “He is in Felegoth?”
“Yes. He is Captain of the King’s Guard, you know.” Parnard looked at Estarfin and I in turn. There was something he wished to tell us. “Er…” he began.
“We are here to help you, Parnard,” I said, sensing a growing tension.
“What do you need of us?” asked Estarfin, still sipping his wine.
As Parnard tilted his head, considering this question, I took the opportunity to take up the book and read the last page. It was a bad habit of mine, but if the conclusion of a work was incorrect, it was not worth reading.”Ah…a pleasing summary,” I announced, closing it again. “It takes much into account and gives a fair portrayal of Oropher’s leadership.” I was interested, but it was for Estarfin to read first, if he wished.
“Permit me to describe Captain Brethenel to you, so that you will know how to best proceed. First I will say he is stern, but fair,” said Parnard.
“Fairness of mind is a promising trait,” I commented.
“Do not try to ply his confidence by being too familiar! He is used to commanding, so we must indulge him and treat him with all possible deference.”
Estarfin raised a brow. “I shall try not to be too familiar.”
“We shall do our best,” I agreed.
“You must be careful not to, er…offend him in any way.” Parnard seemed to want to say more, but instead shrugged and drank wine.
“Will he have heard of the service you performed on our journey here?” Estarfin continued.
Parnard looked up sharply. “Service?”
And I thought of the man, and again felt most uncomfortable over what I had done. I thought it was an act performed almost against my better judgment or will.
“This wine will not do. It is too dry,” said Parnard, hopping up and selecting another bottle.
“Bringing the bodies home,” Estarfin reminded him.
Parnard halted in the act of opening the bottle of wine, then said, “No doubt the guards have already told him about it.”
And I thought then that Parnard was also somewhat uncomfortable about the incident. But then he was only a bystander, not someone who had run a possibly innocent man through with his sword without any hesitation.
Estarfin shrugged.
I took another sip. “The wine is not that dry, Cousin.”
Parnard poured himself a fresh glass of wine, exclaiming, “Good old Ailanthas!” (as it was Ailanthas who had kindly sent the cases of wine to our rooms) then he sat down again on the couch and stretched his long legs out.
The Guards did seem to honour us for bringing their fallen home,” I said encouragingly.
“That they did,” agreed Parnard.
There was a brief moment of silence as we contemplated the matter, then Parnard spoke up and said, “The Captain will have plenty of questions; he is a very curious sort of person.”
I looked to Estarfin, hoping in my heart certain questions about the journey would be avoided.
“Questions for us, or just for you?” Estarfin asked Parnard.
“That, my friend, I do not know.”
“We shall not object to worthwhile questions,” I said.
“He is not one to ask meaningless things or engage in idle chatter, and as you do not waste words, I trust you both to answer as you see fit.”
“Then you wish us to answer openly?” Estarfin asked, putting down his empty glass. I had not thought to do otherwise, but sometimes it was wise to leave certain things unsaid.
“Openly, but you must be as wise as serpents,” was Parnard’s response.
Estarfin frowned slightly. It was not that he was unwise, far from it, but it was beginning to look like there may be a ‘battle’ of wits rather than an informative discussion.
Parnard turned to me and said, “Cousin, you always speak your mind, that is a surety,” then looked me hard in the eye and burst into laughter. Then he turned to Estarfin, and said, “And your words are sparse, Estarfin friend, but mighty powerful! They reveal your weighty, ponderous contemplations.” Parnard looked to me for confirmation.
I had been considering Parnard’s words. “I will not easily speak untruths,” I said. “But I can be cautious. And Estarfin…as you say, speaks rarely but deeply.”
True to this observation, Estarfin said nothing, deciding to refill his wine glass instead.
“We shall do our best, Cousin. Though should he think he commands us…” I started to say, then Estarfin said with a shrug,
“He is a Captain. We are in his realm.”
“Yet you two are not bound to him, and I dare say that you will bedazzle him with your lordly manners and courtesy!” Parnard said to Estarfin. “And such a beauty as Danel has not been seen in the Greenwood since the Lady visited.”
I shook my head and smiled. I never considered myself a beauty. But Parnard’s eyes were shining with admiration, there was no denying his confidence; and Estarfin smiled and raised his glass to me: these two were the ones whose opinions I cared for.
“Do you have your own words to the Captain planned?” I asked, desiring to change the subject.
“Oh, yes! I have thought of a thing or two to say. It is a surety,” said Parnard, glancing eagerly at the door, as if he could not wait a moment longer for the messenger to arrive.
“Are there any particular customs we should be aware of?” I asked, as Estarfin said, “Should we be armed?”
I nodded that Parnard should answer Estarfin’s question first, and turned to look at the door myself. When would the messenger from Captain Brethinel arrive?
“Why not?” Parnard said. “I suppose he is used to that. Let him look upon your forgecraft. Show your swords, both of you, should the occasion arise.”
Estarfin nodded.
“That will impress anyone who knows the worth of a weapon. There are few swords like Sarphir,” I replied. For the briefest of moments I could almost sense the sword in my hand, so used to it was I.
Parnard announced that he found some armour in a chest in his room, and found it to be “very flimsy,” compared to his.
“I doubt there are any here your equal in smith craft, Estarfin,” I said, which, to me, was obvious.
Estarfin shrugged.
Parnard cried out, “No, do not be so modest as that! The Captain will be impressed, no doubt! And what will you say, Danel? You will speak up when I show him the ring, and you will say ‘I made that!’”
I nodded.
“Then I will say, “That is so! I was there when it was made, at least for some part of it.”
I steepled my fingers in front of me. Parnard’s words were true, but it was the meaning behind them I would convey.
“These things matter, cousin,” I said,”because the Noldor do not give gifts or friendship lightly. It shows how much we hold you in our regard; the Captain should know that.”
“Just so,” Estarfin looked up from his own thoughts again. Then he moved to the table to take up a piece of bread.
“I should put on my armour,” said Parnard.
